Ethohexadiol

Ethohexadiol	Last updated: 13/09/2025
(Also known as: etohexadiol; ethyl hexanediol; octylene glycol; ethyl hexyleneglycol)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

An obsolete insect repellent

Examples of veterinary uses

Used to control mosquitioes and biting flies

Examples of species treated

Farmed livestock

Approval status

VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)

Not approved

EU Regulatory approval status

Not approved

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Ethohexadiol exhibits stereoisomerism due to the presence of two chiral centres at the 1 and 3 positions of the hexane backbone. This structural feature allows for the formation of four stereoisomers: (2R,3R), (2S,3S), (2R,3S), and (2S,3R). These include both enantiomers and diastereomers. For insect repellents, the (threo)-isomer of ethohexadiol, specifically (2R,3R)-2-ethylhexane-1,3-diol, is the form most commonly used. However, commercially available ethohexadiol is typically supplied as a mixture of isomers.

Chemical formula

C₈H₁₈O₂

Canonical SMILES

CCCC(C(CC)CO)O

Isomeric SMILES

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

RWLALWYNXFYRGW-UHFFFAOYSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C8H18O2/c1-3-5-8(10)7(4-2)6-9/h7-10H,3-6H2,1-2H3

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Veterinary substance type

Ectoparasiticide, Insecticide

Other bioactivity & uses

Solvent

Substance groups

Aliphatic alcohol

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

Repellent

Molecular targets

[Insect olfactory receptors]

CAS RN

94-96-2

EC number

202-377-9

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

041001

PubChem CID

7211

Therapeutic Class

Ectoparasiticides: Insecticides and repellents

ATCvet Code

P03BX06

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Molecular mass

146.23

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

(2E,3E)-2-ethylhexane-1,3-diol

IUPAC name

(2RS,3RS;2RS,3SR)-2-ethylhexane-1,3-diol

CAS name

2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol

Forever chemical

Other status information

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

Colourless, slightly viscous liquid

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Considered obsolete but may be available in some countries; Banned in some countries

Introduction & key dates

Circa 1945, introduced; 1991, withdrawn

Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically

Example products using this active

Rutgers 612

Formulation and application details

Formulated for topical application

Commercial production

Ethohexadiol is typically synthesised through a multi-step organic process starting with 2-ethylhexanal or related precursors. The key step involves hydroxylation of the alkyl chain to introduce hydroxyl groups at the 1 and 3 positions. This is often achieved via controlled oxidation or reduction reactions, depending on the starting material. For example, selective reduction of 2-ethylhexane-1,3-dione or oxidation of 2-ethylhexane derivatives can yield the desired diol. The reaction is usually carried out under mild conditions using metal catalysts or organic reagents, followed by purification through distillation or recrystallisation to isolate the ethohexadiol isomers.

Impact on climate of production and use

Published GHG data is not available for most pharmaceuticals. However, according to industry, global averages suggest producing 1 kg of a typical active pharmaceutical ingredient can range from 10 to 100 kg CO₂e for small molecule drugs and potentially up to 1000 kg CO₂e for complex biologicals such as vaccines, depending on the drug type, its formulation, complexity of synthesis, solvent recovery, and energy sources used.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Melting point (°C)

-40

Boiling point (°C)

243.0

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

129.0

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

Log P

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

0.942

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Refractive Index

1.451

Environmental release

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

Note

Manure DT₅₀ (days)

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

CT₅₀ (days)

Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 1400

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

(ppm diet)

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Notes

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic Plants (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

High (class III)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 1400

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

2000

Rabbit

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 3.8

Rat 4 hr

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

Intravenous LD₅₀ > 176 mg kg⁻¹

Rat

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Fully metabolised and excreted mainly in urine (70-73%)

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

No data found

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

No data found

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

Posible

No data found

General human health issues

May cause allergic reaction

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Hygroscopic
Not compatible with strong oxidising agents

CLP classification 2013

WHO Classification

Not classified: Obsolete (Not classified: Obsolete)

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

ethohexadiol

French

éthohexadiol

German

Danish

Italian

Spanish

Greek

Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	13/09/2025
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242